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UCL signs declaration of openness on animal research

19 October 2012

UCL has made a commitment to work together with 40 other
organisations to establish a Concordat and develop principles of openness and
measurable objectives underpinning a more transparent approach to animal
research.

Partners in the initiative include Cancer Research UK, The Wellcome
Trust, The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry and a number of
research intensive universities.

The announcement was made at a joint press conference to
discuss the latest Ipsos MORI data on the public attitude to animal research.

The latest figures reveal a 10 per cent drop in the levels
of public acceptance of animal research, with around two thirds of participants
saying they are willing to accept the use of animals for medical research
purposes.

Speaking at the press conference, the Rt Hon David Willetts
MP, Minister of State for Universities and Science, said: “The life sciences
sector is very important for Britain. It’s very important above all for the
health benefits it brings British people, and indeed to the wider world. It
also of course has great economic importance.

“The Government is committed to working to reduce the use of
animals in scientific research… but we do recognise that there remains a strong
scientific case for the carefully regulated use of animals in scientific
research and that this does play a role in ensuring new medicines are safe and
effective.

“There is a challenge for us all to do a better job of
explaining the rationale, the high level of regulatory oversight that is
already in place, and the work being taken to explore alternatives to animals
where possible.”

Professor Malcolm Grant, UCL President and Provost, said:
“The MORI poll shows that the majority of people in this country understand
that animal research remains an important part of the scientific process,
delivering real benefits in terms of safe drugs and new medical procedures.
However, there is still work to do in terms of explaining the importance of
this work.

“We hope that through the concordat we will be able to make
the scientific process even more transparent, contribute to the wider debate
and increase public understanding of our work.”